System and method for operating a mobile device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; and a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Also provided is a transmitter apparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data is transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile device automatically initiates. The mobile device and transmitter apparatus together form a system for operating the mobile device. Methods and computer-readable media storing executable application programs associated with the system arc also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/190,280, filed Jul. 25, 2011, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for operatingfunctions or applications on a mobile device, and in particular, in thecontext of power charging systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless charging is gaining significant market traction, especiallywhen applied with mobile phones. This is being driven by the followingmain factors:

(i) there is an increasing power gap between the power needs of mobilesand the power supply batteries; wireless charging offers the mostconvenient way to constantly keep the batteries charged; and

(ii) wireless charging standardization efforts, such as the efforts ofthe Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), are driving the wide adoption ofwireless charging and the scale of the wireless charging market.

Due to the ultimate convenience wireless charging brings, users will bemore inclined to constantly put their chargeable mobile devices onwireless charging transmitters. It is therefore desirable to includemore features to further enhance this convenience.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a mobile deviceincluding: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a powertransmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; anda function that automatically initiates upon the power receiverwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

Preferably, the mobile device includes an initiator feature thatautomatically initiates the function upon the power receiver wirelesslycoupling with the power transmitter. In one embodiment, the initiatorfeature is integral with the mobile device.

Preferably, the initiator feature includes an initiator application. Inone embodiment, the initiator application automatically initiates uponthe power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Inanother embodiment, the initiator application runs in the background onthe mobile device. In one embodiment, the initiator application ismanually downloadable onto the mobile device. In another embodiment, theinitiator application is pre-loaded onto the mobile device. In a furtherembodiment, the initiator feature automatically downloads the initiatorapplication onto the mobile device upon the power receiver wirelesslycoupling with the power transmitter.

Preferably, at least part of the function forms part of the initiatorapplication.

In one embodiment, the function only runs whilst the power receiver iscoupled with the power transmitter.

Preferably, at least part of the function takes the form of a targetapplication. In one embodiment, the target application is manuallydownloadable onto the mobile device. In another embodiment, the targetapplication is pre-loaded onto the mobile device. In a furtherembodiment, the function automatically downloads the target applicationonto the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the function is dependent upon the location of themobile device or the power transmitter. In another embodiment, thefunction is dependent upon the orientation of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the function includes data transfer between themobile device and another device.

In one embodiment, the power transmitter is part of a transmitterapparatus having a second power transmitter that can couple with asecond power receiver in a second mobile device, and the functionincludes data transfer between the mobile device and the second mobiledevice. In one embodiment, the second power receiver couples with thesecond power transmitter using a wired connection. In anotherembodiment, the mobile device is a mobile phone and the second mobiledevice is a portable computer.

In one embodiment, the function includes requesting payment details froma user of the mobile device before receiving power wirelessly from thepower transmitter.

In one embodiment, the function includes triggering an alarm if themobile device is decoupled from the power transmitter before a userinputs a predetermined password.

In one embodiment, the function includes providing promotionalinformation of a target business to a user of the mobile device.Preferably, the promotional information includes an offer from thetarget business redeemable by the user. Preferably, the powertransmitter is associated with a source business and a reward isprovided to the source business when the offer is redeemed. In oneembodiment, the mobile device includes a positioning module to determinethe location of the mobile device, the function providing promotionalinformation of a product provided by the target business, wherein theproduct can be delivered within a predetermined proximity to thelocation of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the function includes providing a sample or a previewof a product. In one embodiment, the sample or the preview is onlyprovided whilst the power receiver is coupled with the powertransmitter. Preferably, the function includes requesting payment andproviding the product after accepting payment for the product. In oneembodiment, the function requests payment after the power receiverdecouples from the power transmitter. Preferably, the product is a book,movie, video game, or a service accessible by the mobile device.

Preferably, the mobile device includes one or more of the functions,wherein one of the functions is pre-set on the mobile device, or is setvia a computer coupled with the mobile device, or is set via the mobiledevice, to automatically initiate upon the power receiver wirelesslycoupling with the power transmitter.

Preferably, the mobile device includes one or more of the functions,wherein the power transmitter has a mode, and one of the functionscorresponds to the mode and automatically initiates upon the powerreceiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the mode, and thereby the corresponding function,corresponds to a location of the power transmitter.

Preferably, the function that corresponds to the mode is pre-set on themobile device, or is set via a computer coupled with the mobile device,or is set via the mobile device.

Preferably, the power transmitter has a plurality of the modes, eachcorresponding to any one of the functions, with one of the modes beingselectable such that the function corresponding to the selected modeautomatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter. In one embodiment, the selected mode isselectable via the mobile device whilst the power receiver is coupledwith the power transmitter. In another embodiment, the power transmitterhas one or more switches corresponding to the modes and the selectedmode is selectable by operating the one or more switches. In a furtherembodiment, the selected mode is selectable via a computer coupled withthe power transmitter.

Preferably, the power receiver receives power wirelessly from the powertransmitter thereby to define a power transfer channel, and wherein datais transferable through the power transfer channel. Preferably, thepower receiver receives power wirelessly from the power transmitter inthe form of a power signal in the power transfer channel, and whereindata is encoded onto the power signal. Preferably, data is encoded intothe power signal by modulating the power signal. Preferably, the powertransmitter has one or more of a mode, an ID, and location informationand the data includes one or more of the mode, the ID, and the locationinformation.

Preferably, the power receiver couples with the power transmitter usingmagnetic induction. Preferably, the power receiver includes a planarreceiver winding for coupling by magnetic induction with the powertransmitter. Preferably, the power transmitter includes one or moreplanar transmitter windings each for coupling by magnetic induction withthe power receiver. Preferably, the one or more transmitter windings arelocated in a surface of the power transmitter to define a chargingsurface, and wherein the mobile device can be placed onto the chargingsurface.

The present invention also provides, in a second aspect, a transmitterapparatus including a power transmitter for wirelessly coupling with apower receiver in a mobile device to provide power wirelessly to thepower receiver, wherein, upon the power receiver wirelessly couplingwith the power transmitter, data is transferred between the powertransmitter and the power receiver and a function of the mobile deviceautomatically initiates.

Preferably, the power transmitter has a mode, the mobile deviceincluding one or more of the functions, and wherein one of the functionscorresponds to the mode and automatically initiates upon the powerreceiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the mode, and thereby the corresponding function,corresponds to a location of the power transmitter.

Preferably, the function that corresponds to the mode is pre-set on themobile device, or is set via a computer coupled with the mobile device,or is set via the mobile device.

Preferably, the power transmitter has a plurality of the modes, eachcorresponding to any one of the functions, with one of the modes beingselectable such that the function corresponding to the selected modeautomatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter. In one embodiment, the selected mode isselectable via the mobile device whilst the power receiver is coupledwith the power transmitter. In another embodiment, the power transmitterhas one or more switches corresponding to the modes and the selectedmode is selectable by operating the one or more switches. In a furtherembodiment, the selected mode is selectable via a computer coupled withthe power transmitter.

Preferably, the power receiver receives power wirelessly from the powertransmitter thereby to define a power transfer channel, and wherein datais transferable through the power transfer channel. Preferably, thepower receiver receives power wirelessly from the power transmitter inthe form of a power signal in the power transfer channel, and whereindata is encoded onto the power signal. Preferably, data is encoded intothe power signal by modulating the power signal. Preferably, the powertransmitter has one or more of a mode, an ID, and location informationand the data includes one or more of the mode, the ID, and the locationinformation.

Preferably, the power receiver couples with the power transmitter usingmagnetic induction. Preferably, the power transmitter includes one ormore planar transmitter windings each for coupling by magnetic inductionwith the power receiver. Preferably, the power receiver includes aplanar receiver winding for coupling by magnetic induction with thepower transmitter. Preferably, the one or more transmitter windings arelocated in a surface of the transmitter apparatus to define a chargingsurface for receiving the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the transmitter apparatus includes a second powertransmitter that can couple with a second power receiver in a secondmobile device, and the function includes data transfer between themobile device and the second mobile device. In one embodiment, thesecond power receiver couples with the second power transmitter using awired connection. In one embodiment, the mobile device is a mobile phoneand the second mobile device is a portable computer.

Preferably, the power transmitter transmits power wirelessly to thepower receiver thereby to define a first power transfer channel, and thesecond power transmitter transmits power wirelessly to the second powerreceiver thereby to define a second power transfer channel, wherein thedata transfer between the mobile device and the second mobile deviceincludes transferring data between the mobile device and the powertransmitter through the first power transfer channel, transferring databetween the second mobile device and the second power transmitterthrough the second power transfer channel, and transferring data betweenthe first and second power transmitters.

Preferably, the transmitter apparatus includes a plurality of the powertransmitters such that the transmitter apparatus can provide powerwirelessly to a plurality of the mobile devices simultaneously.

The present invention also provides, in a third aspect, a systemincluding: a mobile device as described above; and a transmitterapparatus as described above.

The present invention also provides, in a fourth aspect, acomputer-readable medium with an executable application program storedthereon, the executable application program downloadable to a mobiledevice having a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a powertransmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter, suchthat the executable application program automatically initiates afunction of the mobile device upon the power receiver wirelesslycoupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the executable application program automaticallyinitiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the powertransmitter. In another embodiment, the executable application programruns in the background on the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the executable application program is manuallydownloadable onto the mobile device. In another embodiment, theexecutable application program is automatically downloaded onto themobile device by an initiator feature of the mobile device upon thepower receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, at least part of the function forms part of theexecutable application program.

In one embodiment, the executable application program only allows thefunction to run whilst the power receiver is coupled with the powertransmitter.

Preferably, at least part of the function takes the form of a targetapplication. In one embodiment, the executable application programautomatically downloads the target application onto the mobile device.

The present invention also provides, in a fifth aspect, acomputer-readable medium with an executable application program storedthereon, the executable application program downloadable to a mobiledevice having a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a powertransmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter, suchthat the executable application program forms at least part of afunction that is automatically initiated upon the power receiverwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the executable application program only runs whilstthe power receiver is coupled with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the executable application program is manuallydownloadable onto the mobile device. In another embodiment, the functionautomatically downloads the executable application program onto themobile device.

In one embodiment, the executable application program is dependent uponthe location of the mobile device or the power transmitter. In anotherembodiment, the executable application program is dependent upon theorientation of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the executable application program transfers databetween the mobile device and another device.

In one embodiment, the power transmitter is part of a transmitterapparatus having a second power transmitter that can couple with asecond power receiver in a second mobile device, and the executableapplication program transfers data between the mobile device and thesecond mobile device. In one embodiment, the second power receivercouples with the second power transmitter using a wired connection. Inone embodiment, the mobile device is a mobile phone and the secondmobile device is a portable computer.

In one embodiment, the executable application program requests paymentdetails from a user of the mobile device before receiving powerwirelessly from the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the executable application program triggers an alarmif the mobile device is decoupled from the power transmitter before auser inputs a predetermined password.

In one embodiment, the executable application program providespromotional information of a target business to a user of the mobiledevice. Preferably, the promotional information includes an offer fromthe target business redeemable by the user. Preferably, the powertransmitter is associated with a source business and a reward isprovided to the source business when the offer is redeemed. In oneembodiment, the mobile device includes a positioning module to determinethe location of the mobile device, the executable application programproviding promotional information of a product provided by the targetbusiness, wherein the product can be delivered within a predeterminedproximity to the location of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the executable application program provides a sampleor a preview of a product. In one embodiment, the sample or the previewis only provided whilst the power receiver is coupled with the powertransmitter. Preferably, the executable application program requestspayment and provides the product after accepting payment for theproduct. In one embodiment, the executable application program requestspayment after the power receiver decouples from the power transmitter.Preferably, the product is a book, movie, video game, or a serviceaccessible by the mobile device.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing or supplying a mobile device having a power receiver forwirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receive power wirelesslyfrom the power transmitter, the method including adding into the mobiledevice a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver,wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

Preferably, the method includes adding into the mobile device aninitiator feature that automatically initiates the function upon thepower receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. In oneembodiment, the initiator feature is added such that it is integral withthe mobile device.

Preferably, the initiator feature includes an initiator application. Inone embodiment, the initiator application automatically initiates uponthe power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Inanother embodiment, the initiator application runs in the background onthe mobile device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing theinitiator application for downloading onto the mobile device manually.In another embodiment, the method includes pre-loading the initiatorapplication onto the mobile device. In a further embodiment, theinitiator feature automatically downloads the initiator application ontothe mobile device upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with thepower transmitter.

Preferably, at least part of the function forms part of the initiatorapplication.

In one embodiment, the function only runs whilst the power receiver iscoupled with the power transmitter.

Preferably, at least part of the function takes the form of a targetapplication. In one embodiment, the method includes providing the targetapplication for downloading onto the mobile device manually. In anotherembodiment, the method includes pre-loading the target application ontothe mobile device. In a further embodiment, the function automaticallydownloads the target application onto the mobile device.

Preferably, the method includes incorporating into the mobile device oneor more of the functions, wherein one of the functions is set toautomatically initiate upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter. In one embodiment, the method includespre-setting said one of the functions. In another embodiment, the methodincludes setting said one of the functions via a computer coupled withthe mobile device. In a further embodiment, said one of the functions isset via the mobile device.

Preferably, the method includes incorporating into the mobile device oneor more of the functions, wherein the power transmitter has a mode, andone of the functions corresponds to the mode and automatically initiatesupon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the mode, and thereby the corresponding function,corresponds to a location of the power transmitter.

In one embodiment, the method includes pre-setting said one of thefunctions to correspond to the mode. In another embodiment, the methodincludes setting said one of the functions to correspond to the mode viaa computer coupled with the mobile device. In a further embodiment, saidone of the functions is set to correspond to the mode via the mobiledevice.

Preferably, the power transmitter has a plurality of the modes, eachcorresponding to any one of the functions, with one of the modes beingselectable such that the function corresponding to the selected modeautomatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter. In one embodiment, the selected mode isselectable via the mobile device whilst the power receiver is coupledwith the power transmitter. In another embodiment, the power transmitterhas one or more switches corresponding to the modes and the selectedmode is selectable by operating the one or more switches. In a furtherembodiment, the selected mode is selectable via a computer coupled withthe power transmitter.

Preferably, the power receiver receives power wirelessly from the powertransmitter thereby to define a power transfer channel, and wherein datais transferable through the power transfer channel. Preferably, thepower receiver receives power wirelessly from the power transmitter inthe form of a power signal in the power transfer channel, and whereindata is encoded onto the power signal. Preferably, data is encoded intothe power signal by modulating the power signal. Preferably, the powertransmitter has one or more of a mode, an ID, and location informationand the data includes one or more of the mode, the ID, and the locationinformation.

Preferably, the power receiver couples with the power transmitter usingmagnetic induction. Preferably, the power receiver includes a planarreceiver winding for coupling by magnetic induction with the powertransmitter. Preferably, the power transmitter includes one or moreplanar transmitter windings each for coupling by magnetic induction withthe power receiver. Preferably, the one or more transmitter windings arelocated in a surface of the power transmitter to define a chargingsurface, and wherein the mobile device can be placed onto the chargingsurface.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing or supplying a transmitter apparatus having a powertransmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in a mobiledevice to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, the methodincluding configuring the transmitter apparatus such that upon the powerreceiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, data istransferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and afunction of the mobile device automatically initiates.

Preferably, the method includes configuring the power transmitter with amode, the mobile device including one or more of the functions, andwherein one of the functions corresponds to the mode and automaticallyinitiates upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with the powertransmitter.

In one embodiment, the mode, and thereby the corresponding function,corresponds to a location of the power transmitter.

Preferably, the function that corresponds to the mode is pre-set on themobile device, or is set via a computer coupled with the mobile device,or is set via the mobile device.

Preferably, the method includes configuring the power transmitter with aplurality of the modes, each corresponding to any one of the functions,with one of the modes being selectable such that the functioncorresponding to the selected mode automatically initiates upon thepower receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. In oneembodiment, the method includes selecting said one of the modes via themobile device whilst the power receiver is coupled with the powertransmitter. In another embodiment, the power transmitter has one ofmore switches corresponding to the modes and the method includesselecting said one of the modes by operating the one or more switches.In a further embodiment, the method includes selecting said one of themodes via a computer coupled with the power transmitter.

Preferably, the power receiver receives power wirelessly from the powertransmitter thereby to define a power transfer channel, and wherein datais transferable through the power transfer channel. Preferably, thepower receiver receives power wirelessly from the power transmitter inthe form of a power signal in the power transfer channel, and whereindata is encoded onto the power signal. Preferably, data is encoded intothe power signal by modulating the power signal. Preferably, the powertransmitter has one or more of a mode, an ID, and location informationand the data includes one or more of the mode, the ID, and the locationinformation.

Preferably, the power receiver couples with the power transmitter usingmagnetic induction. Preferably, the power transmitter includes one ormore planar transmitter windings each for coupling by magnetic inductionwith the power receiver. Preferably, the power receiver includes aplanar receiver winding for coupling by magnetic induction with thepower transmitter. Preferably, the one or more transmitter windings arelocated in a surface of the transmitter apparatus to define a chargingsurface for receiving the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the transmitter apparatus includes a second powertransmitter that can couple with a second power receiver in a secondmobile device, and the function includes data transfer between themobile device and the second mobile device. In one embodiment, thesecond power receiver couples with the second power transmitter using awired connection. In one embodiment, the mobile device is a mobile phoneand the second mobile device is a portable computer.

Preferably, the power transmitter transmits power wirelessly to thepower receiver thereby to define a first power transfer channel, and thesecond power transmitter transmits power wirelessly to the second powerreceiver thereby to define a second power transfer channel, wherein thedata transfer between the mobile device and the second mobile deviceincludes transferring data between the mobile device and the powertransmitter through the first power transfer channel, transferring databetween the second mobile device and the second power transmitterthrough the second power transfer channel, and transferring data betweenthe first and second power transmitters.

Preferably, the transmitter apparatus includes a plurality of the powertransmitters such that the transmitter apparatus can provide powerwirelessly to a plurality of the mobile devices simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred embodiments in accordance with the best mode of the presentinvention will now be described, by way of example only, with referenceto the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power transmitter of a transmitterapparatus and a power receiver of a mobile device in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transmitter apparatus in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transmitter apparatus in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a transmitter apparatus in accordancewith yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the transmitter apparatus of FIG. 2shown with a mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6( a) to 6(c) are front views of a mobile device showing screensfor setting an automatically initiated application in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) are perspective views of a mobile device coupledand a transmitter apparatus in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 shows front views of a mobile device showing screens for settingautomatically initiated applications in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 shows front views of a mobile device showing screens for settingautomatically initiated applications in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a transmitter apparatus showingswitches corresponding to different modes in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a transmitter apparatus and two mobiledevices communicating with each other in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a power transmitter of a transmitterapparatus and a power receiver of a mobile device in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention provides a mobile device 1 including a power receiver 2 forwirelessly coupling with a power transmitter 3 to receive powerwirelessly from the power transmitter. In particular, the mobile device1 has a function that automatically initiates upon the power receiver 2wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides atransmitter apparatus 4 that includes the power transmitter 3 forwirelessly coupling with the power receiver 2 in the mobile device 1 toprovide power wirelessly to the power receiver 2. Upon the powerreceiver 2 wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3, data istransferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver and afunction of the mobile device 1 automatically initiates.

It will be appreciated, however, that it is not necessary for the powerreceiver 2 of the mobile device 1 to couple with a transmitter apparatusthat has a power transmitter that can transfer data with the powerreceiver 2, such as the power transmitter 3 of the transmitter apparatus4 described above. Advantageously, the power receiver 2 of the mobiledevice 1 can wirelessly couple with a wide range of power transmittersto receive power wirelessly.

It will also be appreciated that another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention provides a system including a mobile device having apower receiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter toreceive power wirelessly from the power transmitter, and a transmitterapparatus that includes the power transmitter for wirelessly couplingwith the power receiver in the mobile device to provide power wirelesslyto the power receiver. Upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter, a function of the mobile device automaticallyinitiates. In one embodiment of this system, the mobile device is themobile device 1 described above. In another embodiment this system, themobile device is the mobile device 1 described above, and thetransmitter apparatus is the transmitter apparatus 4 described above.

Thus, the present invention discloses a feature in which once a userputs a mobile device, including a power receiver, on or close to a powertransmitter, not only does the wireless power charging process begin,but also other applications of the mobile device initiate automatically.

Turning back now to the mobile device 1 described above, the mobiledevice includes an initiator feature 5 that automatically initiates thefunction upon the power receiver 2 wirelessly coupling with the powertransmitter 3. The initiator feature 5 can be a hardware component, asoftware component, or a combination of hardware and softwarecomponents. In one embodiment, the initiator feature 5 is a hardwareaccessory that couples with the mobile device 1. Embodiments include asleeve that houses the mobile device 1, or separate device that connectswith the mobile device 1 via a connection port on the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the initiator feature 5 is integral with the mobiledevice 1. The initiator feature can be provided integrally with themobile device at manufacture. In particular, whether the initiatorfeature includes hardware or software components or both, some or all ofthese can be integrated with the mobile device 1 at manufacture.

In some embodiments, the initiator feature 5 includes an initiatorapplication 6. With some of these embodiments, the initiator feature 5takes the form of an initiator application 6, that is, the initiatorfeature is an initiator application. The initiator application 6 canautomatically initiate upon the power receiver wirelessly coupling withthe power transmitter, or the initiator application 6 can run in thebackground on the mobile device 1.

In one embodiment, the initiator application 6 is manually downloadableonto the mobile device 1. This can be done by, for example, a user ofthe mobile device 1, or a reseller, distributor, manufacturer orsupplier of the mobile device before it is provided to an end user. Inanother embodiment, the initiator application 6 is pre-loaded onto themobile device. This can be done by, for example, a manufacturer,supplier, reseller or distributor of the mobile device 1 before it isprovided to an end user. In another embodiment, the initiator feature 5automatically downloads the initiator application 6 onto the mobiledevice 1 upon the power receiver 2 wirelessly coupling with the powertransmitter 3.

In one embodiment, at least part of the function that initiatesautomatically forms part of the initiator application 6. In someembodiments, the function only runs whilst the power receiver is coupledwith the power transmitter. In some embodiments, at least part of thefunction takes the form of a target application 7. In some embodiments,the whole function takes the form of a target application. This targetapplication 7 can involve hardware or software components or a mixtureof both.

In one embodiment, the target application 7 is manually downloadableonto the mobile device 1. This can be done by, for example, a user ofthe mobile device 1, or a reseller, distributor, manufacturer orsupplier of the mobile device before it is provided to an end user. Inanother embodiment, the target application 7 is pre-loaded onto themobile device 1. This can be done by, for example, a manufacturer,supplier, reseller or distributor of the mobile device 1 before it isprovided to an end user. In another embodiment, the functionautomatically downloads the target application 7 onto the mobile device1.

As a specific example, and referring particularly to FIG. 5, when themobile device 1 is placed on the transmitter apparatus 4, wireless powertransfer starts. At the same time, a “photo slide show” application, asan example of a target application 7, is initiated automatically. Theuser can then enjoy the show without the inconvenience of having toundertake any actions such as pushing any buttons, selecting theapplication, and selecting the required or desired operating mode.

Referring back to the initiator feature 5 described above, furtherdetails of three specific examples of embodiments will now be described.

EXAMPLE 1

The initiator feature 5 is an integral feature of the mobile device 1.Once the power receiver 2 is coupled to the power transmitter 3, thisfeature starts automatically, and the device calls, initiates andprompts a function of the mobile device 1. The prompted function can bean internal function of the mobile device 1, or a target application 7,including in the form of a software application, which can run on themobile device 1. The prompted function or target application can be adefault selection on the mobile device 1, the most frequently usedtarget application, of one pre-selected by a user in advance. For thelatter option, that is, a function or target application pre-selected bythe user, pre-selection can be done via a “setting” feature 8 on themobile device 1, as shown in FIG. 6( a), which can be part of theinitiator feature 5. As shown in FIG. 6( c), the “setting” feature 8 caninclude a menu 9 or a sub-menu that lists available functions or targetapplications 7 for selection, and from the menu 9 or the sub-menu, theuser can simply choose the desired function or target application to beinitiated when the power receiver 2 couples with the power transmitter3. The functions or target applications that can be pre-selected caninclude all the functions and software applications of the mobile device1 or only a sub-set of them. By pressing the up and down arrows shown inFIG. 6( c), more functions or target applications for selection can beviewed through scrolling up or down respectively.

EXAMPLE 2

The initiator feature 5 includes an initiator application 6 in the formof a special software application. This special software application isindicated by an icon 10 in FIG. 6( b), which is labeled, for example,“WPT”. Once the power receiver 2 is coupled to the power transmitter 3,the initiator application 6 runs automatically, and calls, initiates andprompts a function of the mobile device 1. The prompted function can bean internal function of the mobile device 1, or a target application 7,including in the form of a software application which can run on themobile device 1. The prompted function or target application can be adefault selection of the initiator software application “WPT” 6, themost frequently used target application, or one pre-selected by a userin advance. For the latter option, that is, a function or targetapplication pre-selected by the user, the user simply selects via theinitiator application “WPT” 6 the desired function or target applicationto be initiated when the power receiver 2 couples with the powertransmitter 3, as shown in FIG. 6( c). In particular, the initiatorapplication “WPT” 6 includes displaying the menu 9 or a sub-menu thatlists the functions or target applications 7 that can be selected, andthe user simply selects one of these functions or target applicationsfrom the menu 9 or the sub-menu. The functions or target applicationsthat can be selected can include all the functions and softwareapplications of the mobile device 1 or only a sub-set of them. Thisinitiator software application “WPT” 6 can be further designed to onlyinclude some functions and applications to be selected in a freeversion, and to include all the functions and applications in a paidversion.

EXAMPLE 3

The function is implemented by an initiator application 6 itself Asabove, the initiator application takes the form of a softwareapplication labeled “WPT”. Once the power receiver 2 is coupled to thepower transmitter 3, the initiator application “WPT” 6 runsautomatically, and calls, initiates and prompts a function or targetapplication which is a part of the initiator application “WPT” 6 itselfReferring to the example shown in FIG. 5, the “photo slide show” is adefault or pre-selected function of the initiator application “WPT” 6.Of course, the user can select which function or target application tobe initiated and prompted, as shown in FIG. 6( c). Similar to theprevious approach, this initiator application can be further designed toonly include some functions and target applications to be selected inthe free version, and include all the functions and applications in thepaid version. Moreover, more functions or target applications can beadded with an update of the initiator application “WPT” 6.

With the latter two examples, in which an initiator application “WPT” isused, the initiator application “WPT” runs automatically upon the powerreceiver 2 coupling with the power transmitter 3. However, in someembodiments, the initiator application “WPT” runs in the background.This provides design freedom since in some mobile devices such anapplication can only work or works better if it is run in thebackground.

Further attention is now turned to the function that automaticallyinitiates upon the power receiver 2 coupling with the power transmitter3. As described above, at least part of the function can take the formof a target application 7, and in some embodiments, the whole functiontakes the form of a target application 7, that is, the targetapplication 7 is the function. Therefore, any reference to the functionin the present description can also refer to the target application,that is to say, the terms “function” and “target application” areinterchangeable, unless otherwise specified.

In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device 1 includes one or more ofthe functions, with one of the functions pre-set on the mobile device,or set via a computer coupled with the mobile device, or set via themobile device itself, to automatically initiate upon the power receiver2 wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3.

In another preferred embodiment, the mobile device 1 also includes oneor more of the functions. However, the power transmitter 3 has a mode,and one of the functions corresponds to the mode and automaticallyinitiates upon the power receiver 2 wirelessly coupling with the powertransmitter 3. The function that corresponds to the mode can be pre-seton the mobile device 1, or can be set via a computer coupled with themobile device 1, or can be set via the mobile device 1 itself.

Preferably, the power transmitter 3 has a plurality of the modes, eachcorresponding to any one of the functions, with one of the modes beingselectable such that the function corresponding to the selected modeautomatically initiates upon the power receiver 2 wirelessly couplingwith the power transmitter 3.

In one embodiment, the selected mode is selectable via the mobile device1 whilst the power receiver 2 is coupled with the power transmitter 3.In another embodiment, the power transmitter 3 has one or more switches11 corresponding to the modes and the selected mode is selectable byoperating the one or more switches. In a further embodiment, theselected mode is selectable via a computer coupled with the powertransmitter 3.

Thus, the power receiver 2 can couple with any one of one or more powertransmitters 3, each corresponding to one of a plurality of differentmodes, and each mode corresponding to one of the functions, such thatupon the power receiver wirelessly coupling with one of the powertransmitters, the function that corresponds to the mode corresponding tosaid one of the power transmitters automatically initiates.Additionally, each power transmitter 3 can have a plurality of differentmodes available from which said one of the plurality of different modescan be selected.

In one embodiment, the function is dependent upon the location of themobile device 1 or the power transmitter 3. In another embodiment, thefunction is additionally or separately dependent upon the orientation ofthe mobile device 1. In a further embodiment, the mode, and thereby thecorresponding function, corresponds to a location of the powertransmitter.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the transmitter apparatus 4 for use in abedroom. The transmitter apparatus 4 includes a power transmitter 3having a “bedroom mode”, and in this way can be referred to as a“bedroom mode” power transmitter. As a comparison, the embodiment of thetransmitter apparatus 4 shown in FIG. 5 includes a power transmitter 3set in a “living room mode”, and can be referred to as a “living roommode” power transmitter. When a mobile device 1 is placed on the“bedroom mode” power transmitter 3, wireless power transfer starts. Atthe same time, a target application 7, which can be different to the oneinitiated and prompted by the “living room mode” power transmitter 3, isinitiated and prompted automatically. In the example shown in FIG. 7(a), a weather function or a weather software application is initiatedand prompted automatically.

Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the power transmitter 3 shown inFIG. 7 does not have a charging surface 12 that lies horizontally on thetable, with the charging surface 12 being the surface on which themobile device 1 can be placed in order for the power receiver 2 tocouple with the power transmitter 3. Instead, the charging surface 12 ofthe power transmitter 3 of FIG. 7 is at an inclined angle with the tablesurface so that the mobile device 1 on the power transmitter 3 faces auser looking straight ahead. The advantage is that the user can easilywatch a video or have a conference call or use other convenientapplications.

With such a power transmitter 3, or similar embodiments having aninclined or vertical charging surface 12, the mobile device 1 can beplaced in a “portrait” or a “landscape” orientation, as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7( b) respectively. Accordingly, the mobile device 1 can bedesigned to initiate and prompt different target applicationsautomatically when the device is placed in a “portrait” or a “landscape”orientation on the charging surface 12 of the power transmitter 3. Asshown in FIG. 7( b), a clock and alarm application is displayed when themobile device 1 is in a “landscape” orientation. It will be noted thatthe implementation of this orientation-dependent feature requires theuse of some sort of sensor or sensors in the mobile device 1 such as,for example, one or more gravity sensors or accelerometers. It will alsobe appreciated that the orientations described above are not exclusiveand other orientations can be utilized.

To implement such so-called “different-mode-different-application” and“different-orientation-different-application” functionality, the“setting” feature 8 or the initiator application “WPT” 6 includes moreselection options as shown in FIG. 8. Firstly, instead of the functionor target application menu 9 described above, a “Mode Selection” menu 13is displayed, from which a user can select different modes to set. Afterthe mode is selected, another sub-menu 9A is displayed so that the usercan select the function or target application to set for that mode. Foreach mode, the “orientation” feature can be switched to on or “off”. Ifit is “on”, after making a selection for the “portrait” orientation,which in this case is the default orientation, another sub-menu 9B willbe displayed for the user to select the function or target applicationfor the “landscape” orientation.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the user firstly selects to set a“bedroom mode”. Then, a target application 7 in the form of a weatherapplication is pre-selected for the “portrait” orientation and a targetapplication in the form of a clock/alarm application is pre-selected forthe “landscape” orientation.

In another embodiment, the function includes data transfer between themobile device and another device. In one example, the mobile device 1 isplaced on a power transmitter 3 which is a part of the console of a car,as shown in FIG. 4. Such a power transmitter is of a different type fromthose shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, as it is set and sold with a “car mode”.This power transmitter 3 will be referred to as a “car mode” powertransmitter.

When the mobile device 1 is placed on such a power transmitter 3, thewireless charging process starts. At the same time, the mobile device 1recognizes the power transmitter 3 as a “car mode” power transmitter,and initiates a Bluetooth pairing function or target applicationautomatically. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the initiatorfeature 5 or initiator application 6 has the menu structure describedabove. The last menu is a sub-menu 9C of the first two menus that isdisplayed after a user has selected the mode and the target application.In the last menu, the user can configure settings for a specific targetapplication, which in this case is a Bluetooth pairing application. Inthis way, the user can pre-select whether the Bluetooth module is turnedon or off when the application is initiated. The user can alsopre-select the default device for Bluetooth pairing.

As mentioned previously, the power transmitter mode can be pre-set andcannot be changed by a user. This is one option for the embodimentsdescribed above. However, power transmitters can have more than onemode, with the modes customizable in terms of the functions thatcorrespond to the modes and which mode is the selected mode for a powertransmitter. This will now be described in further detail with referenceto the power transmitters 3 described above, as examples.

In one embodiment, the power transmitter 3 shown in FIG. 10 can have aswitch to select a mode. In another embodiment, the mode can also beselected digitally by a controller of a large system if a powertransmitter 3 is integrated into such a large system. In a furtherembodiment, the power transmitter mode can be changed by a command froma mobile device 1.

As a specific implementation example, reference is made to the powertransmitter 3 described above that is a part of the console of a car.Switches 11 labeled “1”, “2”, and “3” are on the side of the powertransmitter 3 and represent “car mode”, “living room mode”, and “bedroommode”, respectively. A user can switch the power transmitter 3 from “carmode” (“1”) to “living room mode” (“2”) by operating the respectiveswitch or switches 11. On the mobile device 1, a target application 7 inthe form of a “music player” application is pre-selected to match the“living room mode”. Thus, when the user places the mobile device 1 onthe power transmitter 3, wireless power transfer starts, and at the sametime, the “music player” application instead of the “Bluetooth pairing”application will be initiated automatically.

In another embodiment, the transmitter apparatus 4 has a second powertransmitter 14 that can couple with a second power receiver 15 in asecond mobile device 16, and the function includes data transfer betweenthe mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 16. In one embodiment,the second power receiver 15 couples with the second power transmitter14 using a wired connection. In one embodiment, the mobile device 1 is amobile phone and the second mobile device 16 is a portable computer. Inthis case, the data transfer between the mobile phone and the portablecomputer can be in the form of a “sync” operation to synchronize orbackup data, such as applications, settings, and configurations, betweenthe mobile phone and the portable computer.

The data transfer between the mobile device 1 and the second mobiledevice 16 can occur over a Personal Area Network (PAN), Local AreaNetwork (LAN), or a Wide Area Network (WAN) using protocols such asIrDA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 3G. In one embodiment, the data transferoccurs between the power receivers 2 and 15 and the power transmitters 3and 14 themselves. In particular, the power transmitter 3 transmitspower wirelessly to the power receiver 2 thereby to define a first powertransfer channel, and the second power transmitter 14 transmits powerwirelessly to the second power receiver 15 thereby to define a secondpower transfer channel. The data transfer between the mobile device 1and the second mobile device 16 includes transferring data between themobile device 1 and the power transmitter 3 through the first powertransfer channel, transferring data between the second mobile device 16and the second power transmitter 14 through the second power transferchannel, and transferring data between the first and second powertransmitters 3 and 14 respectively.

In one embodiment, each power receiver 2 and 15 receives powerwirelessly from the respective power transmitter 3 and 14 in the form ofa power signal in the respective power transfer channel. The data beingtransferred is encoded onto the power signal, which preferably includesmodulating the power signal. A specific example of how this can be doneis described later.

Further details of one specific embodiment of the transmitter apparatus4 having a second power transmitter 14 that can couple with a secondpower receiver 15 in a second mobile device 16, so that data transfercon occur between the mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 16,will now be described. The power transmitters 3 and 14 of the powerapparatus 4, which can be called a “double device transmitterapparatus”, have a “communication mode”. When a mobile device 1 isplaced on the power transmitter 3, which has been set in the“communication mode”, wireless power transfer starts. At the same time,a “data transfer” application which is set as a default or apre-selected target application on the mobile device 1 to match the“communication mode” is initiated and prepared by the mobile device 1automatically in order to ready the mobile device 1 for data transfer.

When a second mobile device 16 is placed on the second power transmitter14 of the transmitter apparatus 4, wireless power transfer starts andthe same or similar “data transfer” application is initiated andprepared as a target application 7 on the second mobile device 16. Thetwo mobile devices 1 and 16 can then communicate with each other fordata transfer and information exchange, as shown in FIG. 11. Asmentioned above, the communication can occur through a Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), orthrough the power receivers 2 and 15 and the power transmitters 3 and 14themselves. One advantage of this approach is that the communication canbe, and can only be, initiated and authorized when the two mobiledevices 1 and 16 are placed on the same transmitter apparatus 4. Thissignificantly enhances privacy and security. The privacy and securitylevel can be further enhanced if the mobile devices 1 and 16 aredesigned to maintain such data transfer only when the mobile devices arccoupled with the power transmitters 3 and 14. Once either mobile device1 or 16 is decoupled from the respective power transmitters 3 and 14,data transfer stops. With this approach, the transmitter apparatus 4works like a data transfer hub.

Another embodiment involves communication between a mobile device 1 andanother device in the form of a personal computer. In this embodiment,the power transmitter 3 has a “computer communication mode”. The powertransmitter 3 can be placed close to the personal computer. When themobile device 1 is placed on the power transmitter 3, wireless powertransfer starts. At the same time, a “sync” application which is adefault or pre-selected target application set to correspond to the“computer communication mode” is initiated and prepared by the mobiledevice 1 automatically in order to ready the mobile device 1 forinformation exchange with the computer. Once an appropriate softwareapplication is started on the computer by the user, data transfer cantake place between the mobile device 1 and the computer through a PAN oranother type of network.

In another embodiment, the power transmitter 3 has a wired connectionwith the computer. When the above “sync” function or target applicationis initiated, the power transmitter 3 can also initiate an appropriatesoftware application to run on the computer, so that the data transferbetween the mobile device 1 and the computer can start automatically. Ina further embodiment, the power transmitter 3 is an integral part of thecomputer. For example, it is a part of the top of the chassis of thecomputer, or a part of a surface of a laptop. With this embodiment, thepower transmitter 3 can initiate the appropriate software application torun on the computer conveniently and easily.

In all the above communication embodiments, the mobile device 1 or the“sync” target application can also be designed to maintain the datatransfer with the computer only when the mobile device 1 is coupled withthe power transmitter 3. This can be done easily as a controller 17 inthe power receiver 2, as shown in FIG. 1 can sense whether or not thepower receiver 2 is receiving a power signal from the power transmitter3.

There is also a simpler embodiment of the “double device transmitterapparatus” described above, in which the transmitter apparatus 4 has twopower transmitters 3 and 14 side-by-side, each for receiving arespective mobile device 1 and 16, and allowing the transmitterapparatus 4 to charge the mobile devices simultaneously. When the mobiledevices 1 and 16 are placed on the respective power transmitter 3 and14, wireless power transfer starts. At the same time, a targetapplication is initiated and prompted on each mobile device 1 and 16.The target application running on each device can be different, as themode of the power transmitter 3 on one side of the transmitter apparatus4, and the power transmitter 14 on the other side of the transmitterapparatus 4 can be set differently, and/or the pre-selected targetapplication on each mobile device can be different.

In other embodiments, the transmitter apparatus 4 includes a pluralityof the power transmitters 3 such that the transmitter apparatus canprovide power wirelessly to a plurality of the mobile devices 1simultaneously.

It will be appreciated that the above functions and target applicationsare more suited for private usage, although not exclusively. However,there are also many possible implementations in which power transmitters3 or transmitter apparatuses 4 are installed for public use. Forexample, power transmitters 3 or transmitter apparatuses 4 can beimplemented in a wide variety of public areas and situations, such as ina restaurant, in an airport or in a shop. The power transmitters in suchareas can have a “public mode”. When a mobile device 1 is placed on thepower transmitter 3, wireless power transfer starts. At the same time, a“public” target application on the mobile device 1 is initiated andprompted automatically to match the “public mode”.

In one such embodiment, the function or target application 7 includesrequesting payment details from a user of the mobile device 1 beforereceiving power wirelessly from the power transmitter 3. For example,the user may be asked to pay for the charging process with the input ofcredit card information. In another embodiment, the function or targetapplication 7 includes triggering an alarm if the mobile device 1 isdecoupled, as a result of the mobile device being moved for example,from the power transmitter 3 before a user inputs a predeterminedpassword. The function or target application 7 can include requestingthe user to input a password to protect the mobile device 1 beforehand.The alarm can be audible and/or visual, such as a flashing screen orindicator light.

In another embodiment, the function or target application includesproviding promotional information of a target business to a user of themobile device 1. The promotional information can include an offer fromthe target business redeemable by the user. The power transmitter 3 canbe associated with a source business and a reward can be provided to thesource business when the offer is redeemed.

If the mobile device 1 includes a positioning module to determine thelocation of the mobile device, the function or target application 7 canprovide promotional information of a product provided by the targetbusiness, whereby the product can be delivered within a predeterminedproximity to the location of the mobile device 1. The positioning modulecan take the form of a GPS receiver incorporated into the mobile device1.

One specific example is where a power transmitter 3 is integrated into atable in a restaurant, with the power transmitter being in a “promotionmode”. When a mobile device 1 is placed on the power transmitter 3,wireless power transfer starts. At the same time, a “promotion” targetapplication on the mobile device 1 is initiated and promptedautomatically to match the “promotion mode”. The location of the usercan be determined through a Global Position System (GPS) function on themobile device 1. As an alternative method, location information can bestored on the power transmitter 3, and transferred to the mobile device1 with the communication method described earlier in this descriptionand later in further detail. Once the location is determined, thepromotion information or advertisement of a partner shop close to therestaurant, such as a bar or a cinema, can be pushed to the mobiledevice 1 through a WAN connection. The user can be, for example,presented with a discount code by the restaurant after reading suchpromotion information. The restaurant can also be rewarded in the formof profit share with its partner shops.

As the mobile device 1 can be coupled to the power transmitter 3 duringthe course of a dinner at the restaurant, more than one promotion oradvertisement can be pushed to the mobile device 1 periodically. If theuser does not choose to switch off the target application, the user canearn more rewards to redeem more discounts.

In another example, the mobile device 1 may not have a GPS and/or WANconnection. In these cases, the “promotion” target application canestablish communication with a LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network provided bythe restaurant. The promotion information or advertisement can then bepushed to the mobile device 1 through this network.

In a further embodiment, the function or target application 7 includesproviding a sample or a preview of a product. In one variation, thesample or the preview is only provided whilst the power receiver iscoupled with the power transmitter. In one embodiment, the function ortarget application 7 includes requesting payment and providing theproduct after accepting payment for the product. In a further variation,the function or target application 7 requests payment after the powerreceiver decouples from the power transmitter. The product can be, forexample, a book, movie, video game, or a service accessible by themobile device 1.

In one example, a power transmitter 3 is integrated into a table at anairport, and is configured in an “airport mode”. When a mobile device 1is placed on the power transmitter 3, wireless power transfer starts. Atthe same time, a target application 7 in the form of a “travelentertainment” application on the mobile device 1 is initiated andprompted automatically to match the “airport mode”. The “travelentertainment” application establishes communication with a LAN, such asa Wi-Fi network of the airport, and starts to stream book pages or amovie onto the mobile device 1. The user can then read the bookpage-by-page or watch the video, but preferably only when the powerreceiver 2 of the mobile device 1 is coupled with the power transmitter3. Once the user needs to leave when, for example, to board the planefor take-off, the user can select to pay in order to download the entirebook or movie, and to resume reading or watching on the plane.

In another example, a power transmitter 3 is integrated into a chargingstation provided by a mobile telecommunications carrier, with the powertransmitter operating in a “mobile telecom carrier mode”. When a mobiledevice 1 is placed on the power transmitter 3, wireless power transferstarts. At the same time, a target application 7 in the form of a“carrier experience” application on the mobile device 1 is initiated andprompted to correspond to the “mobile telecom carrier mode”. The“carrier experience” application unlocks a leading-edge communication orhigh-speed data transfer technology provided by the mobiletelecommunications carrier in order to allow the user to experience theprovided technology. The “carrier experience” application can be furtherdesigned to maintain such carrier experience only when the powerreceiver 2 of the mobile device 1 is coupled with the power transmitter3. Once wireless power transfer is over or the mobile device 1 decoupledfrom the power transmitter 3, the carrier experience ends.

According to the above embodiments, different power transmitters 3 canhave different modes, and different mobile devices 1 can initiate,prompt and/or maintain a function or a target application after thepower transmitter mode is recognized. It will be appreciated that therecan be many more modes than those described above. New power transmittermodes can be accepted by the mobile device 1, via for example the “WPT”initiator application 6 described previously. Once a new mode isaccepted and implemented into a power transmitter 3, the initiatorfeature 5, or the firmware of the mobile device 1, or the initiatorapplication 6 can be updated. Thus, the present invention provides ascalable approach. The following section describes features of theembodiments that implement recognition of power transmitter modes.

In one embodiment, which was briefly mentioned above, the power receiver2 receives power wirelessly from the power transmitter 3 thereby todefine a power transfer channel. Data is transferable through this powertransfer channel between the power receiver 2 and the power transmitter3. Thus, data is transferable between the mobile device 1 and thetransmitter apparatus 4. Preferably, the power receiver 2 receives powerwirelessly from the power transmitter 3 in the form of a power signal inthe power transfer channel. Data is encoded onto the power signal, whichpreferably includes modulating the power signal.

As well as a mode, the power transmitter 3 can have one or more of an IDand location information and the data that can be transferred includesone or more of the mode, the ID, and the location information.

As mentioned above, data can also be transferred between the mobiledevice 1 and a second mobile device 16 having a second power receiver 15for coupling with a second power transmitter 14, which with the powertransmitter 3, is part of a transmitter apparatus 4. In particular, thepower transmitter 3 transmits power wirelessly to the power receiver 2thereby to define a first power transfer channel, and the second powertransmitter 14 transmits power wirelessly to the second power receiver15 thereby to define a second power transfer channel. The data transferbetween the mobile device 1 and the second mobile device 16 includestransferring data between the mobile device 1 and the power transmitter3 through the first power transfer channel, transferring data betweenthe second mobile device 16 and the second power transmitter 14 throughthe second power transfer channel, and transferring data between thefirst and second power transmitters 3 and 14 respectively.

One embodiment of a communication method for transferring data between apower receiver 2 and a power transmitter 3 can be found in U.S. Pat. No.7,915,858, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Inone example, before power transfer starts, the power transmitter 3 canvary its input power into a transmitter winding 18 to generate amodulated signal. In the example shown in FIG. 12, this is done byvarying the input voltage 19 to the DC/AC inverter 20. This can also bedone with other power control methods.

Such a modulated signal can be, for example, encoded to represent themode of the power transmitter 3. In the power receiver 2, a powerreceiver controller 17 can sense the output voltage 21 of the AC/DCconverter 22. The variation of the output voltage 21 can then be decodedand read by the controller 17. In one embodiment, the received codeddata is sent from the receiver controller 17 to the CPU of the mobiledevice 1 for power transmitter mode recognition. In another embodiment,the power receiver controller 17 is integrated with the CPU of themobile device 1. In this case, the coded data can be read by the mobiledevice 1 directly.

It will be appreciated that the above communication method can also beused to transfer a wide variety of information other than the powertransmitter mode. For example, each power transmitter 3 can have aunique ID or location information. It must be noted that othercommunication methods are not excluded and can be implemented tofacilitate power transmitter mode recognition or other data transfer.

In more simple embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, thepower transmitters 3 do not have different modes. There is no need forinformation transfer from the power transmitter 3 to the power receiver2 to recognize the mode of the power transmitter 3. A power receivercontroller 17, as shown in FIG. 1, can sense the magnetic fieldgenerated by a power transmitter 3, or the received wireless power, orother related characteristic. Once a power transmitter 3 is sensed, thepower receiver controller 17 can inform the CPU of the mobile device 1to initiate, prompt and/or maintain a default or a pre-selected targetapplication. In another embodiment, the power receiver controller 17 isintegrated with the CPU of the mobile device 1. In this case, the powertransmitter 3 can be sensed by the mobile device 1 directly.

FIG. 1 shows a representative block diagram of a wireless chargingsystem. It normally includes a “power transmitter”, also known as an“energy transmitter”, and a “power receiver”, also known as an “energyreceiver”. An embodiment of the “power transmitter” is the powertransmitter 3 described above, and an embodiment of the “power receiver”is the power receiver 2 described above. The power transmitter and powerreceiver are coupled with each other through magnetic induction,magnetic resonance or any other form of coupling enabling wireless powertransfer between the transmitter and the receiver.

In the embodiments described above, the power receiver 2 couples withthe power transmitter 3 using magnetic induction. Preferably, the powerreceiver 2 includes a planar receiver winding 23 for coupling bymagnetic induction with the power transmitter 3. Also, the powertransmitter 3 preferably includes one or more planar transmitterwindings 18, each for coupling by magnetic induction with the powerreceiver 2. Advantageously, the one or more transmitter windings 18 arelocated in a surface of the power transmitter 3 to define a chargingsurface 12, as previously described, onto which the mobile device 1 canbe placed.

Although the embodiments above are based on magnetic induction, it willbe appreciated that the embodiments and the various features describedare applicable to any other wireless power transfer methods.

Looking at a specific magnetic induction embodiment in further detail,the power transmitter 3 converts its input from a power source, whichcan be a DC power supply or an AC mains supply, into a medium frequency(normally above 100 kHz) power signal, which generates correspondingcurrent flow in a transmitter winding 18. More specifically, thetransmitter winding 18 is a planar winding or a winding array structureas described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,164,255, the entirety of which is hereinincorporated by reference. The transmitter winding or winding arraygenerates vertical magnetic flux like a “fountain” when current flowsthrough it. If it is a winding array structure, the magnetic flux canhave a uniform distribution over the whole charging surface 12 so thatthe power receiver 2 can be placed anywhere in the charging area definedby the charging surface 12 and receive charging.

When a power receiver 2 is placed in proximity to the magnetic fluxgenerated from the power transmitter 3, the winding 23 in the powerreceiver 2 can effectively couple with the magnetic flux and convert itinto the required power output. The power receiver 2 is then said to be“coupled with” a power transmitter. Such output can be used to directlycharge a battery in the mobile device 1 or to operate as any other kindof power supply. The power receiver 2 may be a part of the mobile device1, a part of a battery pack or an accessory, such as a sleeve, which hasa power connection with the mobile device 1 in cases where the mobiledevice 1 itself does not have an integrated power receiver 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, associated with both the power transmitter 3and power receiver 2, there can be a respective controller 24 and 17 tocontrol system operation. In FIG. 1, power flow is represented by thethick arrow, and data or information flow, as described previously, isrepresented by the thin arrows. As well as between the power transmitter3 and the power receiver 2, data or information flow can also occurbetween the power transmitter controller 24 and the other parts of thepower transmitter 3, and between the power receiver controller 17 andthe other parts of the power receiver 2. As previously discussed, thetransferred information can be simple information like identification,configuration and control signals for wireless charging purposes, ormore complex information used for other applications such as thosedescribed in detail above.

As mentioned previously, a power transmitter 3 may use a planar windingstructure, which makes it easier to manufacture power transmitters withdifferent form factors and/or to integrate power transmitters intodifferent objects or devices. FIGS. 2 to 4 show some exemplaryembodiments. FIG. 2 shows the basic embodiment of a transmitterapparatus 4 in the form of a planar wireless charging pad having one ormore power transmitters 3 on which one or more than one mobile devicewith a power receiver can be placed and charged. In some embodiments, itis also possible for the power receiver 2 to be placed close to the padwithout touching it. Such a pad can be placed or installed at home, inthe office or be integrated into any surface. Although the charging padin FIG. 2 is powered by AC mains, it can also be powered by any powersource, such as, for example, a DC power supply in a car.

As described above, FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a transmitter apparatus 4in the form of a bedside wireless charger. Compared to the one shown inFIG. 2, this charger does not have a horizontal charging surface 12.Instead, it has a charging surface 12 inclined towards a vertical anglewith the desk surface. The details of this embodiment were describedabove. FIG. 4 shows a built-in power transmitter 3 in the console of acar.

It must be noted that due to the wide adoption of wireless chargingstandards, such as the one set up by the Wireless Power Consortium, amobile device 1 housing a power receiver 2 compliant to a standard canbe charged across different power transmitters 3, such as those shown inFIGS. 2 to 4. Such compatibility and interoperability significantlyincrease user convenience in mobile device usage. Users will be moreinclined to constantly place their mobile devices 1 on a powertransmitter 3. It is therefore desirable to include more features, suchas those provided by the present invention and exemplified in theembodiments described above, to further enhance this convenience.

The present invention also provides, in a separate aspect, acomputer-readable medium with an executable application program storedthereon, in which the executable application program is downloadable toa mobile device having a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with apower transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the powertransmitter, such that the executable application program automaticallyinitiates a function of the mobile device upon the power receiverwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Preferred embodiments ofthis aspect of the present invention will be clearly evident in view ofthe detailed description above. In particular, the executableapplication program is in the form of the initiator application 6 and isdownloadable to the mobile device 1 having the power receiver 2 forwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3 to receive powerwirelessly from the power transmitter. The executable applicationprogram in the form of the initiator application 6 automaticallyinitiates a function of the mobile device 1 upon the power receiverwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Furthermore, thefunction can be the functions or the target applications 7 described indetail previously.

The present invention further provides, in another separate aspect, acomputer-readable medium with an executable application program storedthereon, the executable application program downloadable to a mobiledevice having a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a powertransmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter, suchthat the executable application program forms at least part of afunction that is automatically initiated upon the power receiverwirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Again, preferredembodiments of this aspect of the present invention will be clearlyevident in view of the detailed description above. In particular, theexecutable application program is in the form of the target application7 and is downloadable to the mobile device 1 having the power receiver 2for wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3 to receive powerwirelessly from the power transmitter. The executable applicationprogram in the form of the target application 7 forms at least part of afunction that is automatically initiated upon the power receiver 2wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter 3. As noted previously,with each of the functions described in the detailed description above,at least part of the function can take the form of a target application7, and in some embodiments, the whole function takes the form of atarget application 7, that is, the target application 7 is the function.Therefore, any reference to the function in the present description canalso refer to the target application, that is to say, the terms“function” and “target application” are interchangeable, unlessotherwise specified.

The present invention also provides, in another separate aspect, amethod of manufacturing or supplying a mobile device having a powerreceiver for wirelessly coupling with a power transmitter to receivepower wirelessly from the power transmitter, the method including addinginto the mobile device a function that automatically initiates upon thepower receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter. Again,preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present invention will beclearly evident in view of the detailed description above.

Furthermore, the present invention provides, in another separate aspect,a method of manufacturing or supplying a transmitter apparatus having apower transmitter for wirelessly coupling with a power receiver in amobile device to provide power wirelessly to the power receiver, themethod including configuring the transmitter apparatus such that uponthe power receiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, datais transferred between the power transmitter and the power receiver anda function of the mobile device automatically initiates. Yet again,preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present invention will beclearly evident in view of the detailed description above.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexamples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention can be embodied in many other forms. It will also beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the features of the variousexamples described can be combined in other combinations:

1. A mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly couplingwith a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the powertransmitter; a function that automatically initiates upon the powerreceiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, the functionfurther configured to cause the mobile device to provide promotionalinformation of a product offered by a target business to a user; and apositioning module that obtains a position of the power transmitter,where the product is available within a predetermined physical proximityto a current location of the mobile device.
 2. The mobile device ofclaim 1, wherein the function includes requesting payment details from auser of the mobile device before being allowed to receive powerwirelessly from the power transmitter.
 3. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the function includes triggering an alarm if the mobile deviceis decoupled from the power transmitter before a user inputs apredetermined password.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thepromotional information includes an offer from the target businessredeemable by the user.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thepower transmitter is associated with a source business different fromtarget business, and a reward is provided to the source business whenthe offer is redeemed.
 6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thefunction includes providing a sample or a preview of the product.
 7. Themobile device of claim 6, wherein the sample or the preview is onlyprovided whilst the power receiver is coupled with the powertransmitter.
 8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the functionincludes requesting payment and providing the product after acceptingpayment for the product.
 9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thefunction requests payment after the power receiver decouples from thepower transmitter.
 10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thefunction is dependent upon the orientation of the mobile device withrespect to the power transmitter.
 11. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the function includes data transfer between the mobile deviceand another device coupled to the power transmitter.
 12. A mobile deviceincluding: a power receiver for wirelessly coupling with a powertransmitter to receive power wirelessly from the power transmitter; afunction that automatically initiates upon the power receiver wirelesslycoupling with the power transmitter, the function further configured tocause the mobile device to provide promotional information of a productoffered by a target business to a user, wherein the function operatesonly while the power receiver is wirelessly coupled with the powertransmitter.
 13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the functionincludes requesting payment details from a user of the mobile devicebefore being allowed to receive power wirelessly from the powertransmitter.
 14. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the functionincludes triggering an alarm if the mobile device is decoupled from thepower transmitter before a user inputs a predetermined password.
 15. Themobile device of claim 12, wherein the promotional information includesan offer from the target business redeemable by the user.
 16. The mobiledevice of claim 12, wherein the power transmitter is associated with asource business different from target business, and a reward is providedto the source business when the offer is redeemed.
 17. The mobile deviceof claim 12, wherein the function includes providing a sample or apreview of the product.
 18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein thesample or the preview is only provided whilst the power receiver iscoupled with the power transmitter.
 19. The mobile device of claim 12,wherein the function includes requesting payment and providing theproduct after accepting payment for the product.
 20. The mobile deviceof claim 12, wherein the function requests payment after the powerreceiver decouples from the power transmitter.
 21. The mobile device ofclaim 12, wherein the function is dependent upon the orientation of themobile device with respect to the power transmitter.
 22. The mobiledevice of claim 12, wherein the function includes data transfer betweenthe mobile device and another device coupled to the power transmitter.23. A mobile device including: a power receiver for wirelessly couplingwith a power transmitter to receive power wirelessly from the powertransmitter; a function that automatically initiates upon the powerreceiver wirelessly coupling with the power transmitter, the functionconfigured to request payment details from a user of the mobile devicebefore receiving power wirelessly from the power transmitter.